Zimbabwe has no water, no electricity, no jobs yet our focus is on 3rd term extension

You know your country is in a serious mental crisis when members of the ruling party advocate for a change in the constitution to allow a third presidential term, despite the president having failed to deliver on his promises during his two terms. We are a country with a dying economy, no water provision, non-existent electricity supply and a serious leadership crisis. Zimbabwe, once heralded as the breadbasket of Africa, now finds itself entrenched in political and economic turmoil. Recent reports of efforts by members of the ruling ZANU-PF party to extend the presidential term limit serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges the country faces. This development underscores a deep crisis within the nation’s political fabric, one where loyalty to power and self-interest overshadow the needs and aspirations of the people.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe, adopted in 2013, limits the president to two five-year terms, a measure designed to curb authoritarian tendencies and promote democratic renewal. Yet, there is now talk of amending this safeguard to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his grip on power. This raises serious questions, Why is the focus on constitutional changes rather than on fulfilling campaign promises? Why are leaders in the ruling party prioritsing political survival over national progress?
Instead of pushing for reforms that address rampant unemployment, decaying infrastructure, and a crumbling healthcare system, the ruling elite appears preoccupied with securing indefinite rule for the president. This pursuit highlights a worrying disregard for the pressing needs of ordinary Zimbabweans, who are grappling with soaring inflation, dwindling public services and widespread poverty.
President Mnangagwa’s rise to power in 2017 was accompanied by promises of a “new dawn” for Zimbabwe. His administration pledged economic reforms, job creation and an end to corruption. Seven years later, many of these promises remain unfulfilled. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high, with estimates suggesting that more than 90% of Zimbabweans work in the informal sector. Public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver meaningful change has eroded, yet the ruling elite remains steadfast in preserving its grip on power.
The push for a term extension is not only a betrayal of the people’s trust but also a clear indication of misplaced priorities. Instead of focusing on structural reforms to revive the economy or improve social services, those in power seem more interested in perpetuating their political dominance.
Amending the constitution to extend presidential term limits sets a dangerous precedent. It erodes democratic principles and risks turning Zimbabwe into a de facto one-party state where elections become mere formalities. Constitutional amendments of this nature weaken institutions, concentrate power in the hands of a few and undermine accountability.
For a nation already struggling with governance issues, such actions send a bleak message about the future of democracy in Zimbabwe. They also deepen the sense of disillusionment among citizens, many of whom have lost faith in the electoral process as a tool for change.
Zimbabwe does not need extended presidential terms, it needs visionary leadership committed to the well-being of its citizens. True leadership involves listening to the people, addressing their concerns, and delivering on promises made during campaigns. It is high time the ruling party redirected its energy from power consolidation to nation-building.
As Zimbabweans look to the future, one can only hope for a collective realisation among leaders, power is not an end in itself but a means to serve the people. Indeed, God help Zimbabwe, the nation needs it now more than ever.

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi